If the course is dry and fast (as forecast) I predict a strong showing from the European contingent, JJ. Such conditions will negate the length advantage somewhat and make shots around the greens much more difficult. The pros are whining about the changes so they must be fairly severe. Regardless, I expect another great tournament, no other major has had such consistently close finishes or greater storys over the last 20 years.

I'm not going to get suckered into calling a winner again, but for anyone who fancies a flutter, the odds are here. 70-1 would be a good price on David Howell if you can still get it, and I'm sure KJ Choi (at 100-1) is going to make a breakthrough someday. But like I said, I'm not predicting anything, right?

For my golf pool on PGA.com, I've chosen the following players (based on assigned dollar values, a budget of $1,000,000 and the requirement to choose exactly 5 players): Woods, Tiger $300,000 Appleby, Stuart $202,500 Mickelson, Phil $290,250 Purdy, Ted $101,750 Mayfair, Billy $105,000 Team Salary $999,500 I'm a little worried about Tiger's father and how that will affect his play, but he could easily decide to "dedicate" the win to him and slaughter the field by 12 strokes again. Mickelson has broken through the "choke" label now, and looked solid in the last tourney. Appleby is my longshot to win as he has had some good round in previous tournaments and could sneak in this time. Purdy and Mayfair are strictly filling out my lineup and I hope to get some points for them finishing in the upper half of the field.

JJ- Excellent post. It is time to see who will win the coveted green jacket (not the shiny one in your post). I am glad to see the weather is predicted to be good. This actually helps out those who like Phil Mickelson, he won't have to do more than 18 in a day. If I were forced to pick a winner I would go with Tiger. He has been playing well and has a little extra motivation. Appleby is a good dark horse. He has the length and I think he is due for a major. Now we will be able to see the changes and how they affect the outcome of the tournament.

Is it me or does his fat ass just get winded while walking 36holes?? lmao--Ain't it the truth? He's not exactly the poster boy for the workout room, is he? And I wouldn't bet a nickel on him this week--he shot his wad for the next 6 months at BellSouth.

As an 'older' golfer---I go with Palmer and the rest who would have liked to see some shot making changes instead of just longer--a guy who ONLY hits it 300 yds now is going to go right into the middle of the bunkers--just has to be a better way